State Senator Under Fire For Alleged Ties to Nonprofit
A Democrat state senator found himself in hot water during a recent committee hearing when a Republican colleague raised questions about his purported connections to a competitor of a company currently under state investigation.
During the hearing, Minnesota Department of Human Services Inspector General Kulani Moti confirmed the existence of an ongoing investigation into Kyros and its partner organization, Refocus Recovery. Kyros, a provider of peer addiction recovery services, has faced scrutiny for its billing practices, prompting an investigation by DHS.
The spotlight shifted when Rep. Elliott Engen (R-White Bear Township), drew attention to Sen. John Hoffman's alleged ties to Pathfinder Solutions, another peer recovery services provider. Hoffman, who chairs the Senate Human Services Committee, has been vocal about calling for investigations into Kyros but remained silent when Engen (DFL-Champlin) pressed him on his affiliations with Pathfinder Solutions.
Engen's inquiries during the committee hearing were met with resistance from Hoffman's Democrat allies, who deemed the questioning "out of order." Despite the pushback, Engen persisted, highlighting Hoffman's connections to Begin Anew, a non-profit organization where Hoffman previously served as the executive director. Hoffman's association with Pathfinder Solutions and Begin Anew raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, particularly in light of his legislative actions.
During the last legislative session, Hoffman allocated $3 million to the White Earth tribe for a digital therapy tool developed by Pathfinder Solutions. Engen pointed out that White Earth owns a significant stake in Pathfinder, further raising questions about Hoffman's financial ties to the organization. Hoffman's past history also came under scrutiny, referencing a previous instance in 2017 where he faced scrutiny for sponsoring a proposal that provided grant money to organizations working with people with disabilities, including one where he worked.
As the investigation unfolds, the spotlight remains firmly on Hoffman's alleged connections and the implications for his legislative actions.